996 Turbo

Let me start by saying that my first Porsche was a 68 912 which, at the time, was a good introduction to sports cars and Porsche cars in specific. Then six years ago I moved up to an 85 Carrera. I am now fully in love with 911s. Their styling, performance, and distinctiveness are what I covet. I could never be without one in my garage.

When I first saw the new styling of the new 996s I just hated it. I felt Porsche was turning their back on the whole mystic and legend of the 911. The 966 looks so bland that many people often mistake it for a Supra, Nissan, or other Japanese car. The Boxster has a better overall design than the 996. It looks like the stylists at Porsche got lazy and just re-used the front end of the Boxster. That is not what a Porsche 911 should look like.

Now, yesterday my boss took delivery of a 2001 996 Turbo. This is what a new 911 should look like. The headlights are now more aggressive looking. There is a huge front air dam with equally huge air intakes. The fenders are flared and it has what my wife calls the “pouncing cat” look. The side air intakes and rear spoiler are well done, if not maybe a little conservative. But I guess an owner could customize these to their taste.

Of course, my boss gave me a ride around the block and that was cool. But it was a short ride on city streets, and you really can’t experience this car except on highways or curvy roads. So, this afternoon I’m in my boss’s office and he smiles and just says, “I know you’re just dying to drive it” and throws me the keys. He adds “Keep it in double digits” as I’m walking out the door. No problem, we have driven each other’s cars plenty of times. There is mutual respect and trust between us and our 911s. Before this turbo, his main car was a 98 C4 convertible and he has an 89 C4 Targa in Europe. He has something about 4-wheel drive. He says he doesn’t trust himself in the “old” 2 wheel drive cars. That’s his justification for waiting until the 996 Turbo for his next car. Funny, once after driving in my 912 (yes, I still have it) he says it took him “back in time”.

Anyway, I have never driven or even ridden in a 911 turbo. I’ve read the countless articles about how these cars were sluggish until the turbos kicked in. I guess I don’t know what “turbo lag” feels like, but I now know what the “hand of God” feels like. At full throttle, you are pinned to the seat. The power is so seamless and unending that I would swear it was a normally aspirated big displacement engine back there. The cornering limits of this car cannot be reached on normal streets, believe me I tried. I nearly strained my neck and lost consciousness taking corners and onramps at full bore. What a drive.

Obviously, this would be a dream car for any 911 enthusiast. My only complaints would be the new gauges (semi-digital and too small) and the fact that the interior is maybe too plush. On his car, the whole interior was leather, including the air vents! The 10 speaker digital sound system and GPS were nice, but not necessary. And the price is $145,000 out the door! One sad fact of life is that unless you’re a securities lawyer like my employer, or have an equally well paying job, you’ll never own a car like this. Just remember that it may be the big buck customers like my boss that keeps the Porsche balance sheet in the black, but it is us, the enthusiasts, that keep the Porsche soul alive. So, on my drive home in my “old” 85 Carrera I can at least say I’ve driven my dream.

Just thought I’d pass on my day at work today.

J Perry
68 912
85 Carrera

20 years from now that $145,000 will be chicken-feed compared to the price of the new ones ($1 million?)... that's when we'll get our hands on em --- hope I live that long!

I just hope whoever owns mine now will keep the oil changed!

I recently read an article, maybe a couple of months old in R&T or C&R, or something, where this car was placed second in a field of three. The reason: Too civilized. The dash is boring and not terribly distinctive and driving the car is not scarry. It has no quirks. No limits. Boring. but it was the fastest of the three. Indeed, (everyone knows the numbers, at least of the 2000) 413 lb/ft of torque from 2500 to 5500 rpm.! Talk about a kick in the pants. for all our grumbling about it, in the performance category, the Porsche is still the bully.

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'83 SC